title: The prevalence and correlates of supportive care needs in testicular cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence and correlates of supportive care needs in testicular cancer (TC) survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men who had completed active anti-cancer treatment for TC between 6 months and 5 years previously showing no evidence of recurrence were recruited from 14 Australian cancer centers (September 2009-February 2011). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire measuring sociodemographics, disease, and treatment information, supportive care needs (CaSUN), psychological distress (DASS21) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL; SF36v2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 486 eligible TC survivors invited to participate, 244 completed the questionnaire. Sixty-six percent reported one or more unmet supportive care needs. The mean number of unmet needs was 4.73 (SD = 7.0, Range = 0-34). The most common unmet needs related primarily to existential survivorship issues (e.g., life stress) and relationships (e.g., sex life). Younger age and presence of chronic illness other than TC were significantly associated with higher number of unmet needs. The number of unmet needs was more highly correlated with psychological distress and HRQoL than unmet need strength.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of TC survivors reported one or more unmet needs. Unmet needs regarding existential survivorship issues were frequently reported by TC survivors despite their favorable prognosis. Relationships unmet needs were less prevalent but still more common than in breast and gynecological cancer survivors. These findings appear to be related to the young age of TC survivors. As a higher number of unmet needs is significantly associated with psychological morbidity and impaired HRQoL, interventions addressing this constellation of issues are needed.
authors.affiliation: Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Allan Ben
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Butow
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luckett
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grimison
authors.forename: Guy C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Toner
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stockler
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hovey
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stubbs
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hruby
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gurney
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Olver
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: health-related quality of life; oncology; psychological distress; supportive care needs; survivor; testicular cancer